New Year’s Resolutions for Your Car

The dreaded New Year’s resolution. That often-broken promise to ourselves to do something different in our lives over the next 365 days. This year, we suggest you take it easy on yourself and choose a resolution that checks all the boxes as far as improving your life but is far less effort than that new diet fad: car maintenance.

Being more attentive to your vehicle’s maintenance
needs requires very little time but can pay off big for your wallet, your peace
of mind, and the environment. Something as small as reducing your idle time
while warming up your engine on cold mornings reduces emissions and driving at
a slower pace is an even better way to warm the engine that gets you on your
way faster. To improve your fuel efficiency, consider adjusting your
acceleration habits to be more gradual. Proper mindful acceleration can improve
efficiency by as much as 35 percent.

Another easy to implement driving habit is to
regularly check your vehicle’s tire pressure. Especially in areas where the
temperature can change rapidly tire pressure can drop quickly. Driving with underinflated
tires is dangerous in slippery conditions. Low pressure in a tire also reduces
fuel economy and increases wear on the tread. Portable tire pressure gauges are
inexpensive and many gas stations or dealerships are equipped with air pumps
and gauges to get you going.